How to pronounce circulation
Say it like SUR-kyuh-lay-shun. Circulation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce circulation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SUR
- kyuh
- lay
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Circulation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- kyuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- layGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of circulation
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 3.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: sur-kyuu-LAY-shun.
What does circulation mean?
- the dissemination of copies of periodicals (as newspapers or magazines)
- movement through a circuit; especially the movement of blood through the heart and blood vessels
- (library science) the count of books that are loaned by a library over a specified period
Where does circulation come from?
From Middle English circulacioun, from Latin circulatio.
Questions about saying circulation
How do you pronounce circulation?
Say SUR-kyuh-lay-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɝkjəˌleɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌsɜːkjʊˈleɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in circulation?
Circulation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR). Broken into parts: SUR · kyuh · lay · shun.
Is circulation pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 3. The British form is /ˌsɜːkjʊˈleɪʃən/ (sur-kyuu-LAY-shun).